There’s nothing like having a trusty tote bag that fits all your stuff and lasts a long, long time. The daily wear and tear can grind down our beloved carry-ons, leaving us with no choice but to purchase another one which also degrades fast. Luckily, India is home to a variety of businesses that take durability and stylishness seriously.
Here’s a selection of the 5 best Indian brands which stock exquisitely crafted and easy-to-carry tote bags that will last you ages.
Using recycled rubber from industry leftovers, Chamar makes handcrafted pieces that are cruelty-free and waterproof. The name of the company is an ethnic slur used against the Dalit community but the business wears it as a badge of pride. Chamar aims to shift the way people stereotypically look at the Dalit community by lending prestige to their handiwork through the excellence of crafts.
Their tote bags connote nothing less than luxury and are priced from INR 20,000 onwards. The “Mandee” tote bags come with a bill wallet and ample space to store sunglasses, phones, identification cards, books, skincare products and snacks. You will feel like a model straight out of a brand catalogue with their bags.
Founded in 2014, The Postbox’s tote bags are made of two primary materials: leather and cordura, a special weave of canvas. Premium cordura is versatile in use, lightweight and weatherproof. It is known for its tactile strength and agility. The leather is a byproduct of the meat industry and has been aniline-dyed to preserve the natural characteristics of the material.
Their “Marina” tote bag costs INR 3,299 and comes in oxford blue, charcoal and forest green colours. The Postbox’s tote bags are designed for casual everyday use and are perfect for work or if you are heading out for brunch with friends. They can store laptops of 15.6 inches, have an inner zip compartment for items like sunscreen, an open pocket for sunglasses and phones, and an external ring for hooking your sanitiser or AirPods case.
More than 90 per cent of this company’s products are designed and handcrafted in India by over 1,000 artisans. They offer four types of totes: the "Buoy," "Parachute," "System" and "Idyll." The “Buoy” can easily handle heavy loads and has additional inner pockets, a cufflink closure, metal D-rings, and a snap hook keychain holder. The “Parachute” prioritises comfort, modern functionality, and quick access and comes in four different colours.
The “System Tote” is perfect for everything from the office commute to casual hangouts and routine market trips. It features a fully padded laptop compartment ensuring complete protection for laptops up to 14 inches. Finally, the “Idyll” is structured to gratify the needs of compulsive over-packers. It too offers a cushioned storage space to hold laptops of up to 14 inches.
Their tote bags come in funky colours from hot pink to cabana prints. The “Cabana Travel Tote” is a large bag that is made with a premium water-resistant material. It has durable shoulder straps that are easy on the shoulders, an internal zippered pocket so you never lose your keys or access cards, and can be folded or packed flat when not in use. Mokobara’s daily-use totes start from INR 1,999 and are ideal for quick supermarket trips and storing camera lenses and water bottles.
Their tote bags are vibrant, spacious, stylish and easy to carry. The “Paisley Tucker” travel tote is large with multiple pockets for quick access to phones, keys, wallets, earbuds and other handy essentials. Crafted in premium nylon with folksy Indian prints, it has adjustable straps, a cushioned body, is water-resistant and lightweight. A selection of their colourful tote bags have been categorised for office use or shopping purposes. Prices start from INR 900.